Jeff Noren is NECA’s new manager of codes and standards. He’s done many types of work in the electrical industry, from commercial to industrial to testing and training, and has experience at the Milwaukee JATC and BICSI.

What’s your background?

I started an inside wireman apprenticeship in 2003, journeyman’s license in 2008 and a master electrical license in 2012. From there, I worked in the field until 2021, when I transitioned to the Milwaukee Electrical JATC as a technology instructor and curriculum developer. In early 2023, I began working for BICSI headquarters in Florida as a training delivery specialist and subject matter expert. I then joined NECA in April 2024.

Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working at many different locations. I began in commercial electrical at a large office expansion and other commercial locations. Later, I spent a few years at a contractor that worked extensively with industrial customers. This gave me exposure to motor controls, which I found extremely interesting, and would help later in my career. I also spent a year as an engineering technician performing DOE testing and UL in-house testing when work was slow following the housing crisis. Later in my career, I worked at healthcare occupancies, theaters, churches and food processing plants. 

How did you get into systems integration?

In 2011, I joined a technology-forward contractor in central Wisconsin—Shea Electric & Communications LLC. The company works in many different scopes, including copper/fiber data distribution, fire alarm, access control, burglary/intrusion, video surveillance, theatrical lighting control and more, as well as being a full-scale electrical contractor.

During my time, I worked across all these scopes. After a few years, I began leading projects, and then migrated to the main systems integrator position concentrating on commissioning access control, video surveillance and burglar/intrusion systems. This role was very customer-facing, giving me the opportunity to further develop soft skills and training styles.

How did this prepare you to work on the ANSI accreditation process for the National Electrical Installation Standards (NEIS) library?

The varied work environments and my instructional capacities provided an atmosphere that cultivated a great attention to detail, and the ability to absorb and disseminate information quickly and accurately.

The ANSI process is detailed and must be carefully implemented to gain the accreditation of our proposed standards. The consensus body members are the backbone of our standards development process.

NEIS includes standards that span across electrical, communication and limited-­energy applications. My varied experience and background mesh well with these subjects. Also, in my time at BICSI, I served its membership answering questions with a  variety of codes, standards and manuals. I thoroughly enjoyed this aspect of the position and look to continue that service with our NECA members as much as possible.

How has low-voltage work changed?

When I first started, most cameras were analog with a separate power supply. This was also the model for several devices across many scopes. With the advent of power over ethernet, many devices were consolidated to a single cable carrying power and data.

More recently, the development of Class 4 fault-managed power has taken power and data transmission to a new level, with the ability to drive Class 1 equipment with limited-energy cable. The fault-managed aspect of these systems also increases safety with active circuit monitoring through network packets and power packets.

Another exciting development is passive optical LAN. This technology allows the use of high-bandwidth single-mode fiber optics delivered to the end-user. In traditional applications, this fiber stops at the entrance of the building, and lower bandwidth media are used to distribute throughout the facility. Using PONs, single-mode fiber becomes the backbone throughout the facility. This saves on power consumption, square footage needed for communications spaces and less cabling required throughout the facility.

Do you have any advice for ECs looking to get into or expand their low-voltage offerings?

Be open to new opportunities. Fault-­managed power has the possibility of being a disruptive technology. Partnering with a manufacturer and cooperatively looking for projects and customers receptive to this would be a great start. The cabling for this system can be relatively easy to install, similar to communications cabling.

Also, consider fiber optics. The technology of fusion splicers has advanced to the point [that] I had high schoolers splicing and
connectorizing fiber in a matter of minutes at job fairs. Manufacturer training and industry certifications can be very beneficial to assure a quality of install and reliability of the system. Many installations are beginning to use ribbon fiber—12 strands bonded together. While the entry cost for materials and equipment is higher with ribbon, splice time can be greatly reduced.

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